THE TUAREGS 229 Are not the sentiments expressed in this madrigal wonderfully gallant for a so-called savage ? The second piece of poetry is really a satire, the daughter of Abukias apostrophized in it having been compelled to repulse the too ardent advances of an admirer, who could not forgive her scorn.

Daughter of Aboukias I thou hast come.

And the sun was hot when thou didst say ** good-day '' ; Time was, when but to hear thy words repeated Filled me with mad desire to be with thee, For thou wast in mine eyes a hoiiri. But now we know thy nature through and through. Rash are thy words — reserve unknown to thee ; And in thy treachery thou wilt die. Wert thou of noble race, how would thy good blood show } By silence golden — not by reckless blame of other women, For thou wouldst know thyself ! Yet one more word before I close, A word which many others will confirm ; Aye, others married ere thy birth, Whose steps have led them far away to lands unknown to thee, And towns, whose very names thou hast not heard. Young men there are, thou fain wouldst know.

Owners of herds and camels which will ne'er be thine. To saddle in war or to milk when at peace. But as for thy lover, the man thou didst scorn. What matter to us though thou left him forlorn ?

No translation could really give any idea of the vigorous ring of these verses in the original Tamschek. They are alike forcible and rhythmic without any of that undue use of gutturals for which the Tuaregs blame the Arabs, calling their language in derision the Takhamkhamen, When Tuareg women receive, or, as we should say, are " at home to their friends," they recite such verses as those quoted above, or tell long stories which last for several meetings. The men gather about them wearing their best clothes, and vieing with each other in their efforts to appear to advantage. The worthy deeds of those who acquitted